"but after sheridan had risen to a commanding position in the gay life of london, he rather disliked to be known as a playwright or a poet, and preferred to be regarded as a statesman and a man of fashion who 'set the pace' in all pastimes of the opulent and idle. yet, whatever he really thought of his own writings, and whether or not he did them, as stevenson used to say, 'just for fun,' the fact remains that he was easily the most distinguished and brilliant dramatist of an age which produced in sheridan's solemn vagaries one of its most characteristic products."

look on this form,—where humor, quaint and sly,

dimples the cheek, and points the beaming eye;

where gay invention seems to boast its wiles

in amorous hint, and half-triumphant smiles.

look on her well—does she seem form'd to teach?

should you expect to hear this lady preach?

is gray experience suited to her youth?

do solemn sentiments become that mouth?

bid her be grave, those lips should rebel prove

to every theme that slanders mirth or love.

richard brinsley sheridan.—second prologue to the rivals.